Auburn spent less than $1 million on trip to Birmingham Bowl

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn spent less money to attend the Birmingham Bowl than it did for its two previous postseason stops in the Gus Malzahn era.

The program spent a total of $755,119 to attend the in-state bowl game, a mere 2-hour car drive northwest of the Auburn campus, according to documents obtained by SEC Country in an open records request.

Auburn spent $1,671,722.59 for its trip to the Outback Bowl after the 2014 regular season and $3.13 million for its cross-country trip to the BCS National Championship in Pasadena, Calif., following the 2013 season.

Meals, lodging and per diem for 701 members of the program (the team, band, cheerleaders and eight administrators) cost a total of $448,015. Auburn also spent $3,998 on entertainment, $4,315 on promotion, $40,224 on awards and $21,036 on equipment and supplies.

The school spent $85,300 to purchase 1,710 tickets for the use of faculty, player families and others representing Auburn University. Auburn sold a grand total of 10,670 tickets for a total of $447,760. Auburn sold its initial allotment of 8,500 tickets and requested more, which it sold. The 1,710 tickets the school “absorbed” were not unsold tickets, a school spokesperson said.